Food Group To Limit Advertisements Of Unhealthy Food For Children

PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), Dec 13 (Bernama)-- The Food Group of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) has pledged to work with advertising associations to limit advertisements of products which do not meet the criteria of nutritional value to children aged 12 and below. Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai said this cooperation was part of the effort to limit the children's marketing exposure to foodstuff and beverages with high fat, sugar and salt content. With these guidelines, only products which meet the nutrition criteria will be advertised on television or the print media, or marketed in schools, he added. Speaking to reporters after chairing the 11th National Food safety and Nutrition Council meeting here on Thursday, Liow said the meeting also agreed that implementation of the guidelines by the industry players would be self-regulatory by way of a pledge. He said the cooperation was crucial to address problems of non-communicable diseases affecting children, like obesity and chronic illnesses, due to their unhealthy diet. The meeting on Thursday, he said, also called on owners of food premises, including factories, restaurants, canteens and those involved in food catering business, to register with the Health Ministry. --BERNAMA